Charlie Higson: When were you most embarrassed?

The question

When were you most embarrassed?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A verbatim recurring question in The Guardian's Q&A series.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Charlie Higson

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I’ve shat myself in public three times. It’s never quite as bad as you fear.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 October 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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Stockard Channing

Fifteen years ago, I totally forgot my lines on stage and was mortified. We skipped two pages of dialogue and took three minutes off the play – to the delight of the audience!

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 August 2026 source ↗

Alison Steadman British actress

Playing a pregnant woman, and not being able to find the padding - I shoved a cardie under my dress, and spent the whole play walking around with a sleeve dragging along the floor.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 17 January 2009 source ↗

Jared Harris

Where do I begin?

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 February 2025 source ↗

Phoebe Dynevor

When I was 17, my friends and I threw a fashion show for a breast cancer charity. Breast cancer is something my mum went through when I was 14, so prevention is very close to my heart. Our singer, who was performing during the fashion show, dropped out at the last minute so I had to step in. It’s on video, and my sister always brings it up.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 3 February 2024 source ↗